Mortar joints get damaged overtime with continuous exposure to harsh weather conditions and other outdoor elements. In masonry chimneys, the wear and tear gets even worse with the combination of ever-changing environmental temperature plus the hot fires inside the flue. Once these mortar joints start to deteriorate, it must be remedied right away or it could lead to a disaster later on. This is where repointing or “renewing the pointing” is badly needed. 

• The process of repointing starts by careful inspection with assessment of the masonry unit and the mortar joints.
• The professional brick pointer first determines the techniques applied to the original construction as well as the signs of damages. 
• Once these damages are found, they will also find out if there are other major problems – this is a very crucial step in the process because repointing can actually do more harm than good if there are bigger problems that should have been addressed first. 
• If the cracks are less than 2mm and no major defects, then repointing may not be necessary. 
• After all the inspections and assessment are completed, the next step is to remove the old mortar. It is essential that this process is carried out as carefully as possible in order to avoid causing damages to the masonry units. The mortar will then be brushed, cleaned or vacuumed. 
• Next step is filling in the new mortar on its deepest recession first, hardened, and another layer, and then more. 
• If the colour of the new mortar does not match with that of the old one after repointing and setting, the structure must be cleaned in order to blend the colours. This is done using a low pressure water jet.